Made to final.
There’s a motive why jewelry is exchanged on life’s momentous events. In contrast to clothes, there’s jewelry a few of us by no means take off – the items that climate with us by life’s inevitable ups and downs. It’s the gold necklace your great-grandmother as soon as wore, the engraved ring a pal gifted you or the classic silver bracelet you discovered behind an unassuming op store.
It’s the type of jewelry made with thought, course of and consideration. Consider it or not, there’s a motive why your $7 multi-pack of vibrant stud earrings hasn’t held up. Nicely-made jewelry takes time and information – nearly 10 years’ value, within the case of Melbourne jeweller, Olivia Cummings.
For extra trend information, shoots, articles and options, head to our Style part.
Olivia is the founding father of Cleopatra’s Bling, the Australian label impressed by journey, tales and the cosmos. Under, Olivia shares her high ideas for recognizing well-made jewelry.
What’s the method behind your jewellery-making course of?
I hand-carve every design myself out of wax, and the items are individually solid. As a result of I work with [some of the] finest craftspeople within the business, and the integrity of the supplies I take advantage of are A-grade, we’re in a position to make sure very long-lasting items. I’ve labored for 10 years on my model to make sure the standard is the best it may be.
What’s the distinction between gold-plated and gold-filled jewelry?
Gold-filled jewelry consists of a stable layer of gold (usually constituting at the least 5 per cent of the merchandise’s complete weight) mechanically bonded to a base of both sterling silver or some base metallic.
An equal to this is able to be micron-plated vermeil (which is what we do) which is 3 microns of 24k gold over sterling silver. Gold-plated jewelry may be achieved in many alternative methods, some extra sturdy than others. We do micron-plated, gold-plated jewelry, which may be very long-lasting… the bottom metallic is nickel and lead-free bronze. Briefly, it’s concerning the thickness of the metallic over a base metallic of some type.
What’s the distinction between lab-grown and pure gems? Does one are likely to last more?
Lab-grown means they’re scientifically created in a lab. We use 95 per cent pure gems, as they lend themselves extra to our aesthetic. Lab-grown stones have a really totally different appear and feel than pure gems. The primary distinction is pure gems usually have inclusions from the crystallization course of — [from] gases and different minerals mixing throughout the molten stage of stone creation.
As a result of lab-created stones depend on a gentle, managed means of making use of minerals, warmth and stress, they often have fewer inclusions. Personally, I desire pure gems as I like the feel and contours of the naturally occurring magnificence.
Are there clues within the development of the jewelry?
I feel weight is vital. A variety of jewelry feels tinny and low cost. I would like my jewelry to really feel prefer it’s robust, with a superb high quality base metallic (within the case of gold-plated and vermeil jewelry). The best way stones are set is one thing I’m studying lots about, and quick!
Sure stones which are extra brittle (like emeralds) must be set very well and deliberately, preserving in thoughts the character of the stone. Clasps on chains and necklaces must be sturdy sufficient for beaded items. That mentioned, jewelry must be handled with care because it’s a fragile merchandise.
What are the opposite components we must be searching for to identify well-made items?
Be certain that the jewelry is stamped if it’s stable gold, silver, or vermeil. It’s unlawful to not stamp the bottom metallic if it’s thought-about a treasured or semi-precious metallic. Ask questions concerning the stones – ask in the event that they’re dyed or pure. When you begin listening to these items, it’ll turn out to be like second nature to you.
For extra on recognizing well-made jewelry, head right here.
